News round up: Mental illness cases in forces reach 4,000

Mental illness cases in British forces neared 4,000 last year

Almost 4,000 new cases of mental illness were diagnosed among the UK’s armed forces last year, with those returning from Iraq or Afghanistan the most likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

First ID cards for Britons from autumn next year, Jacqui Smith to say

Jacqui Smith is set to defy union opposition and announce that the first Britons will have to apply for compulsory identity cards from autumn next year.

From Nov 25 this year, ID cards are compulsory for foreign nationals who come to Britain.

However, the Home Secretary will say in a speech to the Social Market Foundation tomorrow [thurs] that compulsory ID cards for “airside” workers will be introduced at two of Britain’s airports from next autumn.

Read more on this story in The Daily Telegraph

New points system ‘barrier to migrants’

Highly skilled migrants who want to work in the UK will have to prove they have thousands of pounds in their bank accounts to support themselves and their families during their first month in Britain before they can apply, new rules published yesterday reveal.

Read more on this story in The Guardian

Victory for couple facing social workers’ adoption ban for smacking their son

A couple prevented from adopting a baby girl because they once slapped another child for swearing won a court’s backing today when a judge branded the ban ‘bizarre’.

The ‘caring and sensitive’ couple had been told by a council they could not take in the half-sister of a little boy they adopted five years ago.

Read more on this story in The Daily Mail

Digital home help

A Cumbrian project is leading the way in getting older people online.

Read more on this story in Society Guardian

The reality of misdiagnosis

With contestants lined up on the lawn of a grand house and looking as if they mean business, the opening sequence of Horizon: How Mad Are You? could be mistaken for The Apprentice. But the 10 “contestants” in the BBC2 programme aren’t competing for prizes. They are willingly being scrutinised by psychiatric professionals who have to spot which five have a diagnosed mental illness.

Read more on this story in Society Guardian

Vitamin pill that may slow Alzheimer’s goes on trial

A vitamin pill that could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is to enter human trials after scientists found it protected animals from memory loss associated with the condition.

Read more on this story in Society Guardian

Struggling schools spared taking excluded pupils

Poorly performing schools are to receive extra funding and will be spared having to take disruptive pupils, Ed Balls said yesterday.

Read more on this story in The Times